Get a stovetop percolator. They are pretty cheap and make outstanding coffee - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeemaker#Percolators

They use steam/pressure to brew. You could get one second hand for a cheap price I bet. Beats the ass out of $100 coffee makers imo.

 

I agree with incubus...a cheap mr. coffee is a quick and easy way to make coffee,you can usually brew several cups in the time it takes to get a shower.

Besides brewing the way I and others mentioned is definitely more of a hassle and you'll be spoiled forever...I can't even stand the smell of drip brewed coffee.

 

Tasters Choice gets my vote, get yourself an Instant Hot type unit at your kitchen sink and it's even faster, you'll have a decent cup of coffee in seconds

 

There are a few different routes you can go...

1) Assuming that your tap water isn't the best, the quickest, cheapest and easiest method is to get some sort of water pitcher with a filter and use that for your coffee. (For example, for $40 - Brita)

2) Get a drip machine and a grinder, and buy whole beans. Not as fast as your instant method unless your machine has a timer and you set it up the night before. (The coffee wont be quite as good as if you did it all fresh.) But you should end up with a smoother, less bitter cup of coffee that's still plenty flavorful. Experiment with which beans you prefer. This is what we do and we're quite satisfied.

3) Get a machine that uses pods/packs/whatever - basically, sealed containers of pre-ground coffee beans. There are several systems, so if you go this route make sure its easy for you to get refills. My impression is that they're oriented more towards espresso than cups of coffee, though. My friends have such a machine and like it a lot.

4) Go the french press route, again with a grinder and whole beans. I haven't experimented with this much, but I'm thinking of picking up an Aeropress for $25.

(No matter what, go with filtered water. Even if you stick with your instant coffee.)

 

this is basically what i use.
i love the machine a bit pricy i guess for my tastes
but it works great.

http://www.keurig.com/allbrewers.asp?mscsi...4Q8FKB8K4SPEXQB

i have the Mini Personal Brewer.
they use “K-Cups” that have soo many flavors.

anyways, check it out.

 

how i get going in the morning? special equipment?

 

I think this is the route I'm going to take, sometimes I don't even have time to even make instant coffee in the morning so this sounds like the most efficient option. What should I look for in a good drip machine? I doubt anything I find for $15 at Walmart will be any good

 

Keep in mind your benchmark is instant coffee. I find my cheap drip machine and (expensive) Dunkin' Grounds are better than McDonalds coffee...and that's a lot coming from me.

 

All you need in the world is a good French Press, some good bean (not Starsucks garbage), and a pot to boil water in.

 

For a drip machine, IMO the two most important aspects are, first, an insulated carafe rather than a glass one. It keeps the coffee warm on its own, rather than continually baking it like the glass ones with a hot plate do. Second, an integrated water filter is nice just to cut down on an extra step.